Other conditions decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's HIV-related illness does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for light staph epidermidis and light gaffkya species, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran died from an epileptiform seizure, but his service-connected alopecia areata did not cause or contribute to his death.,He was denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of his death and the entitlement to dependents' educational assistance under Title 38, Chapter 35 of the United States Code.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an apportionment of his VA compensation benefits due to insufficient funds, despite meeting other eligibility criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The issues of service connection for sinusitis and an increased rating for diffuse goiter are pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left hip fracture claimed to be secondary to service-connected Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 7, 1995 for the award of a permanent and total disability rating for non-service connected pension purposes.

The veteran's diagnosed colon cancer is not related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service, and the Board finds that there is no reasonable possibility that it was caused by such exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected pharyngitis and laryngitis was denied by the RO. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the issue.

The veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability pension benefits was denied due to his bad faith in failing to report spousal income, which led to the creation of the overpayment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for a ventral hernia with reflux is not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to an event in service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits as her husband had recognized guerrilla service, which is not considered active military service.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for dyslexia needs to be remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for the veteran's cause of death is well grounded. The claims file contains competent evidence of a plausible relationship between the veteran's cause of death and service, including cancer which contributed to his death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected TMJ syndrome is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the disability warranted a compensable rating prior to September 16, 1998.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 80% to 60% for the veteran's residuals of transitional cell carcinoma was proper based on the evidence showing no renal dysfunction and limited work capacity.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for a right elbow disability due to new evidence submitted, including a statement from his private physician. The claim is now well-grounded and VA must provide an examination to determine if the current condition is related to service.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation for atrophy of the left testicle, effective from August 1994.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition of the groin, claimed as chemical burns, rashes, and boils is not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence demonstrating current disability.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer and service connection for gastritis as secondary to PTSD. The veteran was informed of these decisions, but a statement of the case has not yet been issued.